7 health podcasts we can't turn off

Also: Travelers beware: It’s a big year for dengue [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  July 2, 2024 Hi CommonHealth reader, The Fourth of July holiday week has officially arrived. For me, the summer season means taking time to relax outdoors, go hiking and jogging, and — all the while — listen to a few good podcasts. If you’d like to join me, here are some health-related podcasts I’ve been enjoying so far this year — a mix of new releases and shows producing new episodes in 2024: - [Fallen Angels]( This pulpy, nonfiction podcast probes the secret double life of USC's former medical school dean, and the institutions that protected him and others. It's told by Los Angeles Times journalists who broke the story. (Warning: Some episodes contain descriptions of drug use and sexual abuse.) - [She Has A Name]( Tonya Mosley (a WBUR alum) explores DNA testing as a tool to solve cold cases and its impact on her own family. She weaves hidden family truths into a story of trauma, mental health, substance use, forgiveness and the history of Detroit. Each episode is beautifully told, with striking intimacy and a gentle touch. - [MrBallen’s Medical Mysteries]( This podcast breaks all the rules of audio storytelling, yet somehow drew me in completely. From a mysterious illness affecting healthy women in Wisconsin to a terrifying disease in Zaire, episodes describe case histories plucked from real life and how doctors tried to diagnose and treat them. Some cases get at cultural forces in medicine and provide insight into turning points in medical history. - [Trillion Dollar Shot]( From The Wall Street Journal, this limited edition podcast examines the new class of weight loss and diabetes drugs that have quickly become blockbusters. The series mixes personal medical history with science, drug policy and — of course — money. It’s timely and thought-provoking (with editing by another WBUR alum, Katherine Brewer). - [Lost Patients]( This recommendation comes from talented WBUR reporter and fellow podcast enthusiast Deborah Becker. The six-part docuseries looks at the mental health care system and how patients with severe mental illness fall through the cracks, produced by KUOW and The Seattle Times. - [Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta]( This one pleasantly surprised me. Episodes I’ve listened to so far leaned toward personal health, often providing useful tips. I enjoyed several well-placed nuggets about Gupta and his family, and some skillful interviews by Gupta himself. He sounds like the broadcasting pro he is and seems very comfortable in this podcast format. - [Hidden Brain]( Not a new podcast, but one that continues to provide thoroughly fascinating episodes. The brain and human behavior seem to inspire endless wells of discovery, and interesting experts help make the best installments sing. (Another long-running and well-loved podcast, [Maintenance Phase]( explains and debunks wellness and weight loss trends. It features a bit too much host chatter for my taste, but many fans love it, and you might too!) ICYMI: These limited series podcasts came out pre-2024, but are well worth a listen if you haven’t already discovered them: - [The 13th Step]( This podcast takes a deep dive into corruption and abuse in the recovery industry. Created by the talented team at New Hampshire Public Radio, the series was a well-deserved finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for audio. - [The Retrievals]( From The New York Times, this Peabody Award-winning narrative podcast investigates lapses at a Yale fertility clinic and how patients' pain was ignored. (Listener beware: Several episodes contain detailed, disturbing descriptions of medical procedures). - [The Line]( Masquerading as a podcast about war crimes, this series from investigative podcast veteran Dan Taberski has a lot to say about memory, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. P.S.— Heard a health-related podcast or podcast episode you liked, but don’t see it here? Hit me up, and I’ll consider including it as a recommendation in an upcoming newsletter. I’m always looking for great podcasts to check out! Elisabeth Harrison Managing Editor For News Content (Editor's note: The CommonHealth newsletter will be taking a break next Tuesday. We'll be back in your inboxes July 16.) Support the news  This Week's Must Reads [Supreme Court rejects controversial Purdue Pharma bankruptcy deal]( In a 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that the multibillion opioid settlement inappropriately protected the Sackler family. 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